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BOOK REVIEWS – BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY |
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Title: Aaron ********************************************************** Author: Aaron, Henry Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: Overall, this book about Henry (or “Hank”) Aaron was a very exciting and entertaining book. It had a lot of details and not much dialogue, which is good. The only reason I gave this book an “8” is because I didn’t like the ending. The author left you hanging. All books should have a good ending, but this book didn’t have one. Library Location: Public Library Scott Grade 6
Title: Abe Lincoln Grows Up ********************************************************** Author: Sandburg, Carl Genre: Biography Rating: 10 Critique: I like the book because it tells how Abraham Lincoln grew up. Also, it told things like when he became Senator for a while. I would recommend the book because it was good. Library Location: Public Library Adam Grade 6
Title: Albert Einstein and the Frontiers of Physics ********************************************************** Author: Bernstein, Jeremy Genre: Biography Rating: 3 Critique: It didn’t tell enough about his life, just his science. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Chas Grade 6
Title: Amelia Earhart: Challenging the Skies ********************************************************** Author: Sloate, Susan Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: it gave me a good understanding of Amelia Earhart and it was very interesting. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Molly Grade 7
Title: Amelia Earhart: Challenging the Sky ********************************************************** Author: Susan Sloate Genre: Biography Rating: 7 Critique: This book was pretty good. It was a great source for facts about Amelia; it also gave me an interesting perspective on her life. Library Location: St. Leo Main Library Sarah Grade 8
Title: Anastasia, Czarina or Fake ********************************************************** Author: McGuire, Leslie Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: This book was really good. It really presents a good point of view that Anastasia of Russia, supposedly killed in the Russian Revolution, lived until 1984. If you have read any books on Anastasia Romanov before, this book will change your entire viewpoint. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Laura Grade 7
Title: Anne Frank Remembered ********************************************************** Author: Miep Gies with Alison Leslie Gold Genre: Autobiography Rating: 10 Critique: This book is an autobiography on Miep Gies, who is one of the people who helped to hide the Frank family and others. She worked below their hiding place and did the shopping for them and came up to visit them daily. Then it tells about their finding and the “Hunger Winter”. This book is very touching and interesting and tells of suffering none of us could ever imagine. This is why I gave this book the above rating. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Lindsay Grade 7
Title: Bad Boy: A Memoir ********************************************************** Author: Walter Dean Myers Genre: Autobiography Rating: 7 Critique: I thought that this book was fairly interesting and told of what life was like in Harlem. This book tells of the many struggles of Walter Dean Myers to become a writer. This is why I give it a 7 out of 10. Library Location: Other Tyler Grade 8
Title: Barbara Bush, Autobiography ********************************************************** Author: Bush, Barbara Genre: Autobiography Rating: 8 Critique: I gave this book an “8” because it was interesting. For example, her son and husband were and are presidents. Also, her other son, Jeb, is the governor of Florida, and her daughter, Robin, at age 4, died of leukemia. Library Location: Public Library Suzanne Grade 7
Title: Behind the Secret Window ********************************************************** Author: Toll, Nelly S. Genre: Autobiography Rating: 10 Critique: I thought that this book was good because it did a really good job in describing the holocaust and what happened. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Jordan Grade 7
Title: Benjamin Franklin ********************************************************** Author: McKown, Robin Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: It was great because it went into detail about his family, his childhood, and his life. I knew he invented some things, but not that many. He also discovered many things. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Matt Grade 7
Title: Catherine the Great ********************************************************* Author: Leslie McGuire Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: I thought that this book was pretty good. I am really not into a lot of historical books but I still thought this book was interesting. I read this book for my Historical Bias report in the 7th grade. Library Location: St. Leo Main Library Sara Grade 7
Title: Colin Powell ********************************************************** Author: Roth, David Genre: Biography Rating: 6 Critique: There were just facts and barely any action, which I wanted. The book did tell interesting facts about Colin Powell’s life. Library Location: Public Library Hunter Grade 6
Title: Colin Powell ********************************************************** Author: Gregg and Deborah Shaw Lewis Genre: Biography Rating: 7 Critique: The book I read gave an overall good summary of Colin Powell’s life. It explained his childhood and how his early life functioned. It also gave specific events and chronology of his adulthood. The book was enjoyable. Library Location: Other Camp Grade 8
Title: Drive: The Story of my Life ********************************************************** Author: Bird, Larry Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: This book is an autobiography about Larry Bird’s life. I like this book because Larry Bird discussed some of the court problems a basketball player may face. I would recommend it to anyone who likes basketball. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Bruce Grade 7
Title: Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People ********************************************************** Author: S. T. Cathy Genre: Autobiography Rating: 10 Critique: It was interesting to learn about this person. He was very kind and it was humorous. It also tells about his life accomplishments, of which there are many. He also states his business ethics and how close to God he is. (Chick-fil-A has the best chicken in the WORLD!) Library Location: Other Griffin Grade 8
Title: Elizabeth, I Struggle For the Throne ********************************************************** Author: Starkey, David Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: I would say that this book is a very good reference book. It was very informative and interesting. I would suggest this book to middle schoolers only. Library Location: Border’s Katie Grade 7
Title: Ethel Barrymore ********************************************************** Author: Thorleifson, Alex Genre: Biography Rating: 7 Critique: The book was good for kids in middle school. It gave you important information about the actress Ethel Barrymore. The photos in the book were good, also. Library Location: St.Leo’s School Main Library Liz Grade 6
Title: Franklin Delano Roosevelt ********************************************************** Author: Selfridge, John W. Genre: Biography Rating: 7 Critique: The book was good but it would go off track and talk of something else unrelated to Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Chris Grade 6
Title: Freedom Train: A Story of Harriet Tubman ********************************************************** Author: Dorothy Sterling Genre: Non-Fiction Rating: 9 Critique: I thought it was exiting. It seemed like I was there on Harriet Tubman’s adventures. I thought that she would get caught. By the way, the book is about Harriet’s journey from the south to the north, freeing herself and a hundred others. It must have been hard for her to go back and forth so many times. I gave this book a 9 rating because I thought it was awesome, but there was one part I didn’t like because it was sad. I would definitely recommend this book because if you like thrilling adventure where it seems you are actually there, this is an awesome book. Library Location: Home Molly Grade 6
Title: Galileo Galilei ********************************************************* Author: James MacLachan Genre: Biography Rating: 3 Critique: It was boring and did not hold my interest throughout the book. It was interesting learning about a scientist, and that is why I rated this book a 3. I read this book for my Historical Bias report. Library Location: St. Leo Main Library David Grade 7
Title: George W. Bush, Our Forty-third President ********************************************************** Author: Comley, Beatrice Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: Overall, this was an excellent biography. It gave pictures of George Bush young and old, and quotes from friends, family, and others that knew him. The book also gave both sides of the story. The book gave the speech that George Bush gave on September 20, 2001 about terrorism and the events of September 11, 2001. Library Location: Other Craig Grade 6
Title: Geronimo, the Apache Freedom Fighter ********************************************************** Author: Hermann Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: It was an action and adventure type book. The reason I only gave it an 8 was that it was a little short and it took only a day to read. Library Location: Public library Paul Grade 8
Title: The Greatest: Muhammed Ali ********************************************************** Author: Myers, Walter Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: The author explained the boxing world so that you could fully understand his life. Read this book because you will really learn the ups and downs of winning a championship and of becoming a Muslim. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Matt Grade 6
Title: The Grunt Padre ********************************************************** Author: Mode, Fr. Daniel Genre: Biography Rating: 10 Critique: It tells of the heroic acts of a priest in the Vietnam War and goes into great detail about the war. Library Location: other Patrick Grade 7
Title: Harriet Tubman ********************************************************** Author: Carlson, Judy Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: I give this book a “9” because it tells a lot of important stories about how she grew up. It tells about her childhood years in slavery, escaping from her owner, helping other slaves escape, and helping to end slavery. It does not tell when she was born, but it gives a reason and that is because they did not bother to keep birth records of black slaves. That is why I gve this book a “9”. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Jessica Grade 6
Title: Henry VIII ********************************************************** Author: Frank Dwyer Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: It gave great information on Henry VIII, and the best part was that it gave some background information on the political situation of the time. However, at points it was boring. Library Location: St. Leo Main Library Gina Grade 8
Title: Houdini ********************************************************** Author: Clinton Cox Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: I gave it this rating because I thought that Houdini was an interesting person and the book described him and his life very well. Library Location: Other Benedict Grade 8
Title: Ivan the Terrible ********************************************************** Author: Butson, Thomas G. Genre: Biography Rating: 4 Critique: The author was biased about Ivan. I couldn’t really get into the book. Also, I feel that the author didn’t give the real facts. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Greg Grade 7
Title: The Jane Goodall Story, “For the Love of Chimps” ********************************************************** Author: Kendall, Martha E. Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: I like when Jane Goodall helps Dr. Dolittle in college with chimps. I also like that it talks about chimps. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Jonathan Grade 6
Title: Jim Abbott: Against All Odds ********************************************************** Author: Ellen White Genre: Biography Rating: 10 Critique: It is a really good book about a man named Jim Abbott, who was a baseball player with only one hand. It states his achievements and the records he set. Library Location: Other Bobby Grade 8
Title: John Glenn – Space Pioneer ********************************************************** Author: Angel, Ann Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: The author gave well balanced information. This is a very good book. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Thomas Grade 7
Title: Katherine Dunham ********************************************************** Author: Jeannine Dominy Genre: Biography Rating: 7 Critique: This was a good book because I liked reading about dancing and dancers. I also liked this book because it gave good points on life. If you don’t like to read about dance, then you probably won’t like this book. Library Location: Other Katherine Grade 8
Title: Lenin, Genius of Revolution (Immortals of History) ********************************************************* Author: Douglas Liversidge Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: This book has a lot of hard vocabulary. It was interesting to find out how this man changed Russia. I would recommend it to someone who wished to learn about Russian history. I used this book for my historical bias report. Library Location: Other Patrick Grade 7
Title: Louis Armstrong, King of Jazz ********************************************************** Author: Old, Wendie C. Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: This book was so fascinating. The author did a great job at giving the details. I could not stop reading it. It also had pictures so you could understand it better. I would recommend this to anyone who likes success stories. Library Location: Public Library Tom Grade 7
Title: Marie Curie and the Science of Radioactivity ********************************************************** Author: Pasachoff, Naomi Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: The only reason I didn’t give this book a “10” was because it wasn’t an easy read. It was well written but was full of scientific equations and tricky words. I really like how, while telling the story, this book would explain very thoroughly what different scientific terms where and how they affected the scientific world, then and now. Also, Marie’s opinion was stated very clearly by quoting the biography of her husband which she wrote. I feel that the most interesting thing in this book was her wonders about whether radioactivity would benefit the world or hurt it. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Molly Grade 6
Title: Mark Twain ********************************************************** Author: Cox, Clinton Genre: Biography Rating: 4 Critique: The book was a great book about Mark Twain’s life as a writer, poet, dreamer, and father, but I thought it was very boring. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Michael Grade 6
Title: Mark Twain: The Story of Samuel Clemens ********************************************************** Author: Hargrove, Jim Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: My reasons are because I like reading about old authors who wrote famous books. He grew up in Missouri, which is my favorite state, and I liked reading about him. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Joanna Grade 7
Title: Memories of Anne Frank ********************************************************** Author: Gold, Alison Leslie Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: This book was very detailed in giving good explanations of characters and locations. It also made the book very easy to understand. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in finding out more about Anne Frank. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Max Grade 7
Title: Michelle Kwan – A Heart of Gold ********************************************************** Author: Kwan, Michelle Genre: Biography Rating: 10 Critique: This book is very interesting and I enjoyed learning about her life. She had a very exciting and eventful life. She enjoyed what she did and never gave up. That made the book very good and kept you going. Michelle was a wonderful person and enjoyed every chance she got for a gold medal. Another thing that I really liked was that she told you not only what was so great about her, but also about her mistakes. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Alex Grade 6
Title: Mikhail Gorbachev ********************************************************* Author: Steven Otfinoski Genre: Biography Rating: 10 Critique: It is about a man who made the lives of his people happier. I like a person like that! I used this book for my historical bias report. Library Location: St. Leo Main Library Thomas Grade 7
Title: Muhammad, Prophet of Islam ********************************************************* Author: Ruth Warren Genre: Biography Rating: 2 Critique: This book was boring. All the author talked about was how great Muhammed was. They said nothing bad about him. I used this book for my historical bias report. Library Location: Other Ryan Grade 7
Title: Napoleon ********************************************************* Author: Leslie McGuire Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: It was a little biased. Some of the information in the book was not true. The book was not just about Napoleon and his war life, it was about Napoleon and his childhood and his war life. I used this book for my Historical Bias report. Library Location: St. Leo Main Library Matt Grade 7
Title: No Pretty Pictures – A Child of War ********************************************************** Author: Lobel, Anita Genre: Biography Rating: 10 Critique: This book was very detailed in describing WWII, especially about how Jewish people hid and evaded the Nazi soldiers. It was so descriptive of the fear, terror and longing of Jewish children. It told about the secret longing for life before the war and of the secret lives of two young Jewish children, a boy and a girl, in Poland and in a concentration camp. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Alison Grade 7
Title: Nothing is Impossible ********************************************************** Author: Christopher Reeves Genre: Autobiography Rating: 9 Critique: It was a great book that discussed his life and his opinion on subjects. I would suggest that anyone should read this book. Library Location: Other Joseph Grade 8
Title: The Polio Man ********************************************************** Author: John Rowland Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: This book was a little boring. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys science. Library Location: Other Erin Grade 8
Title: President George W. Bush ********************************************************** Author: Gormley, Beatrice Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: This book was wonderful! Whoever is a fan of George W. Bush, here is a book to learn more about him. This book tells about George’s life from when he was born, up until today. It contains stories from his life, quotes, and photos. I loved this book. Library Location: other Bonnie Grade 6
Title: Queen Cleopatra ********************************************************** Author: Streissguth, Tom Genre: Biography Rating: 5 Critique: I gave this book a five because I didn’t really enjoy it that much but it did have a lot of great facts. Library Location: Public Library Arielle Grade 6
Title: Robert E. Lee and the Road of Honor ********************************************************** Author: Hodding Carter Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: This book was about a man who led a very interesting life. It had a bit of everything: drama, action, and some suspense. It was very inspirational in aspects of lifestyle and courage. Library Location: St. Leo Main Library Chance Grade 8
Title: Rosa Parks: My Story ********************************************************** Author: Parks, Rosa Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: Rosa Parks is an incredible person. She knew that regardless of her skin color or race, she had rights. Whether it was sitting somewhere she wanted to, drinking from a certain water fountain, she would stand up for herself, her rights, and her race. I really look up to her. Library Location: Bishop McGuiness Library Erinn Grade 6
Title: Rosa Parks ********************************************************** Author: Kai Friese Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: This book really gave an excellent in-depth biography on thelife of Rosa parks. I really understood what she went through and how difficult life was duringher time. Because of these reasons, I believe that this was a great biography and this is why I gave it an 8. Library Location: Other Jennifer Grade 8
Title: Sally Ride: Shooting For the Stars ********************************************************** Author: Hurwitz, Sue & Jane Genre: Biography Rating: 5 Critique: The reason I gave it a “5” is because I felt that it was way too detailed and that I eventually got bored of reading it. The reason I did not give it a “10” was that I felt that it was interesting reading about all the different parts of the space shuttle and how it works. I learned a lot. Library Location: St. Leo Main Library Hana Grade 6
Title: Seabiscuit ********************************************************** Author: Hillenbrand, Laura Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: The author was very good about giving many secondary sources. This way, I got a very great picture of Seabiscuit and his life. The author presented facts well and backed them up and proved them with quotes and other resources. I really enjoyed this book. Library Location: other Carleigh Grade 7
Title: Storms of Glory ********************************************************** Author: John Beebers Genre: Biography Rating: 4 Critique: I like this book because it was very informative. It was also interesting. It also helps that I am interested in saints and I have a devotion to Therese of Liseux. This book showed why Therese was a great saint and people went to her for intercession. Library Location: Other Becky Grade 8
Title: The Story of Ghandi ********************************************************* Author: Tanya Zinkin Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: This book was very vividly explained and easy to understand. I learned a lot from it. I used this book for my historical bias report. Library Location: St. Leo Main Library Max Grade 7
Title: The Story of Mickey Mantle ********************************************************** Author: Schoor, George Genre: Biography Rating: 6 Critique: It was interesting about his life but throughout the book the author told more about his family and friends than about him. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Brian Grade 6
Title: Surviving Hitler ********************************************************** Author: Warren, Andrea Genre: Autobiography Rating: 8 Critique: I gave it an “8” because it shows the really awful things people had to deal with in the death camps. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Anna Grade 7
Title: Susan B. Anthony ********************************************************** Author: Weisberg, Barbara Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: I thought this was a good book. It was interesting and I learned a lot from it. I learned that Susan B. Anthony, along with other women, fought for women’s right to vote for many, many years and she died before women were allowed to vote. The book makes you realize that if Susan B. Anthony, along with leaders like Elizabeth Stanton, wouldn’t have fought for women’s rights, women might not have gained equal rights. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn about women’s rights. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Alyssa Grade 6
Title: Tara Lipinski: Triumph on Ice ********************************************************** Author: Tara Lipinski, as told to Emily Costello Genre: Autobiography Rating: 8 Critique: I enjoyed this book a lot because it gave the thoughts of Tara Lipinski while skating. It was very interesting and gave precise details. I recommend this book to all people who are into ice-skating. You can learn a lot about her, just like I did. Library Location: Other Annie Grade 8
Title: Theodore Rex ********************************************************** Author: Edmund Morris Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: This book would give anyone great respect for Roosevelt. It goes into depth with his personality and the personalities of his cabinet members. Library Location: Other Nicole Grade 8
Title: Theodore Roosevelt, Fighting Patriot ********************************************************** Author: Judson, Clara Ingram Genre: Biography Rating: 6 Critique: I learned a lot! He had a very interesting life. You don’t want to read it all at once. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Dane Grade 6
Title: Triumph of Hope ********************************************************** Author: Elias, Ruth Genre: Autobiography Rating: 9 Critique: This book is about a girl who comes from a wealthy family. Later she was taken to the concentration camps. The book talks about what happens to her during her times in the concentration camps. It also talks about what happened to her after she was freed. Library Location: Public Library Steffie Grade 7
Title: Willie Mays ********************************************************** Author:John Girabowski Genre: Biography Rating: 9 Critique: this book is really good. It explains the life of the great baseball player Willie Mays. It tells all about how he came to be a ball player, and tells what difficulties he faced. I recommend this biography to everyone. Library Location: Other Stephen Grade 8
Title: Winston Churchill ********************************************************* Author: Alan Farrell Genre: Biography Rating: 7 Critique: This book was filled with facts, a little bit more than I could handle. I did this for my historical bias project. This book helped me a lot. I would recommend this book to people who really like World War II. Library Location: Other Tom Grade 7
Title: Winston Churchill ********************************************************** Author: Rodgers, Judith Genre: Biography Rating: 8 Critique: Winston had an interesting life. His father thought he was useless. Churchill went through many places in the Parliament. He became Prime Minister during World War II. Library Location: St. Leo School Main Library Chris Grade 6
Title: The Wounded Spirit ********************************************************** Author: Peretti, Frank Genre: Autobiography Rating: 10 Critique: I thought that this book was amazing! I first picked up this book just to read something but then I got hooked! I could not believe how hard his life was. I recommend this book to everyone. Library Location: Public Sara Grade 7
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